The Doyle Log Scale estimates log volume based on which measurements?

The Doyle Log Scale estimates log volume based on which measurements?

• A. Diameter and length.
• B. A method for estimating log quality based on color.
• C. A scale for pricing logs by species.
• D. A method for measuring board feet.

Answer: (A)

The Doyle Log Scale is a quick, field-based way to turn two measurements into a volume estimate. It uses the log’s small-end diameter and its length as inputs because volume is essentially cross-sectional area times length, and cross-sectional area grows with the square of the diameter while longer length increases total volume. In practice, these two measurements capture the main factors that determine how much wood a log contains, so they form the basis of the Doyle estimate (often approximated with a simple formula like board feet ≈ (D − 4)² × L ÷ 4, with D in inches and L in feet). Color, log quality, or pricing by species aren’t part of this basic volume estimation, and while the Doyle rule yields a board feet estimate, it’s not a direct measurement tool for board feet.

The Doyle Log Scale is a quick, field-based way to turn two measurements into a volume estimate. It uses the log’s small-end diameter and its length as inputs because volume is essentially cross-sectional area times length, and cross-sectional area grows with the square of the diameter while longer length increases total volume. In practice, these two measurements capture the main factors that determine how much wood a log contains, so they form the basis of the Doyle estimate (often approximated with a simple formula like board feet ≈ (D − 4)² × L ÷ 4, with D in inches and L in feet). Color, log quality, or pricing by species aren’t part of this basic volume estimation, and while the Doyle rule yields a board feet estimate, it’s not a direct measurement tool for board feet.